Ankarana

Ankarana Special Reserve is located about 108km south of Antsiranana (Diego Suarez) and covers 18,220ha. Ankarana is known for its limestone karst pinnacles called tsingy along with its extensive cave system and network of underground rivers -- some of which contain crocodiles. Dry deciduous forest is found in much of the reserve.

Ankarana may have the highest density of primates of any forest in the world according to Bradt's Madagascar Wildlife. Visitors may encounter the crowned lemur, Sanford's brown lemur, Perrier's black lemur, the northern sportive lemur and dwarf lemurs. A variety of chameleons and leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos can also be found in the reserve.

There are accommodations near the park entrance at Mahamasina along RN6. Camping is also possible in the reserve.

There is a second entry point near Amboandriky, but a 4x4 is required. A third entry point is near Matsaborimanga but access is difficult.

The best time of year to visit is during the dry season, from late April to November. Access to some parts of the park may be impossible during the rainy season due to flooding. Temperatures can be extremely high in March and April.

Basic services are available in Ambilobe. Diego Suarez is the major regional hub.

Province: Antsiranana (Diégo-Suarez)

Area: 18,220

Protected area status: Special reserve

Year established: 1956

General location: Northern

Location and Access: Outside of Diego Suarez

Climate:

Average temperature: 24-28°C

Elevation:

Precipitation:

Description: Ankarana is well-known for its extensive caves systems (more than 100 km mapped to date) -- formed by slightly acidic rivers running through limestone formations -- and tsingy formations. Ankarana's canyons are forested with dry deciduous forest.

FAUNA
Birds: 96
Reptiles & Amphibians: 60
   Lemurs: 11
   Bats: 14
Lemur species:

FLORA:
The following species are endemic to the park: Pachypodium baroni, Euphorbia ankarensis, Andansonia perrieri, Delonyx velutina, HHildegardia voyroni, Hildegardia erythrosyphon
Species: more than 330

Dominant ethnic group(s): Antakarana

Official web page

Additional notes: Extreme seasonal variations in temperature and rainfall (dry season from May to December).
Four major rivers run through Ankarana: the Besabola, the Ankarana river, the Antenan' Ankarana and the Manjeba (which runs entirely underground)



A sampling of mammal species found at Ankarana:
Fanaloka or striped Fossa fossana
Ring-tailed mongoose Calidia elegans
Fosa Cryptoprocta ferox
Amber Mountain fork-marked lemur Phanerfurdfer electromontis
Northern sportive lemur Lepilemur septentrionalis
Crowned lemur Eulemur coronatus
Sanford's brown Eulemur fulvus sandfordi
Commerson's leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros commersoni



MAP/Satellite Picture




Male Panther chameleon



Flowering trees in Ankarana



Female Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Deciduous forest of Ankarana



Girl with painted face in Ankarana



Stone forest



Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)



Giant day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)



Ankarana cave



Madagascar day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)



Red and yellow flowers among the tsingy



Limestone tsingy



Frilled Leaf-tail Gecko (Uroplatus henkeli)



Butterfly



Yellow flower



Pair of ring-tailed mongoose (Galidia elegans) grooming



Madagascar giant day gecko (Phelsuma madagascariensis)



Northern Sportive Lemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis) peering out of a tree hollow



Mother crowned lemur hoping for food



Plant



Female Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Diego Suarez Baobab (Adansonia suarezensis)



Ankarana Panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis)



Stone forest



Female crowned lemur carrying her baby



Girl with painted face in Ankarana



Lac Vert in Ankarana



Female crowned lemur feeding on a mango rind



Female crowned lemur feeding on a mango rind



Strangler fig



orange panther chameleon (Ankarana)



Red flowers



Female crowned lemur feeding on a mango rind while perched on sharp limestone tsingy



Tsingy



Plant



Northern Lepilemur (Lepilemur septentrionalis)



Trees growing between tsingy near Lac Vert



Plant



Ankarana cave



Brush-fire in Madagascar



Male Madagascar Paradise-flycatcher (Terpsiphone mutata



Female Crowned lemur (Eulemur coronatus)



Baby crowned lemur buried in its mother's fur



Greater Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa)



Lac Vert ('Green Lake') in Ankarana



Tsingy forest



House gecko



Ringtailed mongoose




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Pictures on this site were taken with a Konica Minolta




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Beautifully illustrated with full color photographs throughout, Madagascar Wildlife is a celebration of the unique fauna of a remarkable island and the perfect accompaniment to Bradt's popular general travel guide, Madagascar.


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